South African Mother Sentenced to Life for Trafficking Missing Daughter

Mon Oct 20 2025 09:51:27 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A heartbreaking case exposes the dark realities of child trafficking in South Africa, as a mother receives a life sentence for selling her young daughter.

In a disturbing case that has gripped South Africa, Racquel Smith, 35, was sentenced to life imprisonment for selling her 6-year-old daughter, Joshlin, who remains missing. The sentencing followed a three-month trial that revealed the mother’s background of drug addiction and her conviction for kidnapping and trafficking her child. Smith sold her daughter for 20,000 rand (around $1,100), and despite extensive searches, Joshlin has yet to be found. The court proceedings have brought to light the horror of child exploitation, as community support swelled for the girl, who still has not been located.

Judge Nathan Erasmus imposed the harshest penalty on Smith, citing her lack of remorse throughout the trial, which was held in a community center due to high public interest. Along with Smith, two accomplices were also given life sentences for their roles in the crime. The girl’s paternal grandmother expressed her ongoing anguish, stating the family continues to miss Joshlin and desires answers about her wellbeing.

The case, which continues to raise numerous questions about child trafficking in South Africa, starkly highlights the need for heightened vigilance and protection for children in vulnerable situations.

The police worked tirelessly to locate Joshlin after her disappearance in February 2024. However, a photograph of her was circulated widely, yet the search yielded no clues. The authorities, with help from the community, arrested Smith and her accomplices as the investigation unfolded. Despite these efforts, the family remains in anguish while Smith has offered no information regarding her daughter's whereabouts.

Eric Ntabazalila from South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority emphasized the necessity of giving a voice to the missing child through legal proceedings. This case serves as a haunting reminder of the challenges faced in combatting child trafficking.